Boat mooring device



May 18, 1965 H. A. BENZ EL BOAT MOORING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1965 INVENTOR.

Jim/074 Q. Bengez ATTORNEY y 18, 1965 H. A. BENZEL 3,183,877

BOAT MOORING DEVICE Filed June 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Howard Q.23erz5eZ BY M 4 62am ATTOPIVEK United "Patent 8 Claims. (Cl. 114-230) This invention relates to a new and useful device for mooring a boat to a dock or the like.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for mooring a boat in a given spot while permitting limited vertical and lateral movement thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a boat mooring device which is resiliently yieldable, to absorb shocks and jarring such as otherwise might occur upon vertical and lateral movement of the moored boat, while being strong, durable and dependable in operation.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a boat mooring device which is readily assembled and disassembled, the boat securing means being connected to an ex tension member which is readily removed for storage, and which is readily installed in operative condition.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a boat mooring device in which the securing means are connected to an extension member which can be swung out of the way when not in use.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a boat mooring device having an extension member which can be swung into and out of operative position, together with means defining such operative position and releasably retaining the extension member therein.

In one aspect thereof, a boat mooring device of my invention is characterized by the provision of a mounting member, an extension member having a cantilever arm, boat securing means connected to the cantilever arm adjacent the outer end thereof, and means mounting the extension member for movement of the cantilever arm about a normally generally upright axis into and out of a predetermined operative position.

In another aspect thereof, a boat mooring device of my my invention is characterized by the provision of a mounting member having a normally generally upright socket, an' extension member having a first arm slip-fitted in the socket and a cantilever arm projecting therefrom, and means releasably retaining the cantilever arm in a me determined operative position relative to the socket.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the boat mooring device of my invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description, of certain presently contemplated embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings depicting the same wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat moored to a dock by a pair of mooring devices of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one of the boat mooring devices, on an enlarged scale;

' FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof, an alternate position of the extension member cantilever arm being indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 4 is a view thereof taken about on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view thereof, taken about on line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view, corresponding to that of FIG. 3 but showing a modified form of mounting member;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view thereof, an alternate position of the cantilever arm being indicated by broken .lines.

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"Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a boat 1 moored to a dock 2 by a pair of mooring devices of my invention, generally designated 3. Although a single mooring device can be used, it will be appreciated that in most cases two will be used, one at the bow and one at the stern, as shown. The mooring devices of FIG. 1 are identical, whereby only one will be described in detail.

Each mooring device 3 comprises a mounting member, shown as a casting having a base formed to provide three right angularly related arms 4 adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to dock 2, as shown at 5. A post 6 extends upwardly from the base, being integral therewith, and reinforcing gussets 7 span the junctures between post 6 and base arms 4.

Post 6 is formed to provide an upright socket 8 extending therethrough. Socket 8 is substantially vertical to the horizontal, although it can be slightly inclined as clearly shown in FIG. 5.

An extension member is provided, in the form of a pivot arm 9 slip-fitted in socket 8 for pivoting therein, and an elongated cantilever arm 10 projecting laterally from post 6 for a substantial distance. Arm 10 is inclined slightly upward from arm 9. At its outer end, cantilever arm 10 carries boat securing means in the form of a pulley 11. Arms 9 and 10 are integral, preferably being formed of tubular stock with arm 16 tapering toward the outer end thereof. This provides a relatively lightweight construction of substantial strength. Metal or any other suitable material can be used.

The upper end of post 6 is formed to provide a first, upwardly opening position defining recess 12 for receiving cantilever arm 10 in its normal operative position. Recess 12 is substantially deeper than the diametral thickness of arm 10, to ensure retention of the arm in the recess. pair of second, upwardly opening recesses 13 are provided in the upper end of post 6, on opposite sides of recess 12 and of socket 8. These recesses are relatively shallow, being shallower than the diametral thickness of arm 10, and define alternate positions for arm 10.

In normal use, extension member arm 10 is engaged in recess 12, assuming the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and in full lines in FIGS. 3 and 4. A line 16 is passed over the pulley sheave, having at one end a fastener 17 adapted for attachment to bracket 18 on boat 1. At its opposite end, line 16 is looped, for engagement about a hook 19 bolted to deck 2. Pulley 11 is carried by a bracket 20, on the outer end of arm 10, for limited swinging and swiveling movement. In this way, boat 1 is quickly and securely moored, while being permitted limited movement in all directions.

Cantilever arm 10 is resiliently yieldabie, whereby it will absorb shocks and jarring incident to movement of boat 1 which otherwise might harm either boat 1 or dock 2-, or the other parts. Also, it will be observed that the pull of boat 1 on the outer end of arm 10 is in a direction holding arm 10 in recess 12. When not in use, extension member 9, 19 can be lifted until arm 10 clears recess 12. Arm 10 then can be swung about the pivot axis provided by arm 9, across the upper end portion 14 between recesses 12 and 13. The portions 14 act as land or bearing surfaces, guiding arm 19 as it is swung to either recess 13. Recesses 13 thus define alter nate, inoperative positions of arm 10, in which it will lie generally parallel to the edge of clock 2 and thereby be out of the way.

The side of post 6 opposite recess 12 projects upwardly, above the upper end portions 14, as shown at 15, to comprise a stop preventing movement of arm it) beyond either recess 13.

When it is desired to dismantle the device, the extension 3 member is simply lifted out of post 6, for storage wherever desired. When the device is to be placed in use, it is readily reassembled to the mounting member, and can be swung out of the way, during short periods of nonuse, or left in its intended operative position.

in the embodiment of FIGS. 68, the extension member comprising arms 9 and it) is identical to that described with reference to FEGS. 1-5. However, the mounting member dilfers in that base portion 4 provides a cross arm spaced from upright post 6' by another arm. Base 4' and post 6' are formed, as from strap metal, whereby the juncture 2i therebet-ween is somewhat resilient in the direction of arm 10. A cylindrical socket member 3' is welded or otherwise mounted on arm 6', with its upper end below the upper end of post 6', to receive arm 9. The upper end of posts has an upwardly opening, position defining recess 12', of a depth greater than the diametrical thickness of arm 10, for receiving arm iii in its predetermined normal operative position.

Here again, arm lit can be lifted out of recess 12', and swung out of the way. Post 6' then acts as a stop against return movement of arm ltl until it is lifted above post 6. The extension member is readily removed from and reassembled to the mounting member, as previously described.

Accordingly, it is seen that my invention fully accomplishes its intended objects. While I have shown and described in detail only two embodiments, that has been done by way of illustration, it being my intention that the scope of my invention be defined by the appended claims.

Having fully disclosed and completely described my invention, and its mode of operation, what I claim as new is:

l. A boat mooring device comprising, a mounting member having a base adapted for attachment to a dock and a normally generally upright post cast integrally therewith, said post containing a normally generally upright socket, and an extension member having a pivot arm slip-fitted in said socket and an elongated cantilever arm projecting outwardly and slightly upwardly therefrom, boat securing means carried by said cantilever arm adjacent the outer end thereof, the upper end of said post having a first upwardly opening cantilever arm receiving recess therein deeper than the thickness of said cantilever arm defining a predetermined operative position of said cantilever arm, the upper end of said post having a pair of opposed second upwardly opening cantilever arm receiving recesses therein shallower than the thickness of said cantilever arm on opposite sides thereof defining predetermined alternate positions of said cantilever arm, whereby said cantilever arm can be lifted out of said first recess and swung in'either direction across said upper end as a bearing surface into one of said second recesses, the side of said post opposite said first recess projecting upwardly above the upper end portions of said post between said first and second recesses and comprising a stop against swinging of said cantilever arm beyond said alternate positions.

2. A boat mooring device comprising, a one-piece mounting member having a base adapted for attachment to a dock and a resiliently somewhat yieldable post extending upwardly therefrom, a normally generally upright socket member carried by said post, the upper end of said post extending above the upper end of said socket member and having an upwardly opening recess therein, and an extension member having an arm slip-fitted in said socket member and a cantilever arm projecting therefrom, said cantilever arm being received in said recess when in a predetermined operative position, and boat securing 24. means connected to said cantilever arm adjacent the outer end thereof.

3. A boat mooring device comprising, a mounting member having a base adapted for attachment to a dock and a post integral withsaid base and extending upwardly therefrom, a normally generally upright socket member carried by said post with the upper end of said socket member below the upper end of said post, and an extension member having an arm slip-titted in said socket and an elongated cantilever arm projecting outwardly and slightly upwardly therefrom, boat securing means carried by said cantilever arm adjacent the outer end thereof, said upper end of said post having an upwardly opening cantilever arm receiving recess therein deeper than the thickness of said cantilever arm defining a predetermined operative position thereof, the connection between said post and saidbase' being somewhat resiliently yieldable in the direction of said predetermined arm position.

4. A boat mooring device comprising a mounting memher having a base'adapted for attachment to a dock and a normally generally upright'socket carried by said base to project above an associated dock, and an extension member having a normally generally upright pivot arm slip fitted downwardly in said socket and an elongated cantilever arm connected at its inner end to said pivot arm in generally right angular relation thereto, said cantilever arm projecting laterally from said pivot arm and said pivot arm mounting said cantilever arm for swinging about a generally upright axis between operative and inoperative positions of said cantilever arm, boat securing means carried by said cantilever arm adjacent the outer end thereof, means releasably retaining said cantilever arm in said operative position, and means releasably retaining said cantilever arm in said inoperative position, said cantilever arm being offset inwardly from the edge of an associated dock and therefore out of the way when not in use and swung to its inoperative position, said extension member being readily removable from said mounting member by simply lifting the extension member upwardly. v

5. A boat mooring device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said boat securing means include a pulley connected to said cantilever arm adjacent said outer end thereof and a line through said pulley, together with means for attaching one end of said line to an associated dock and the opposite end thereof to a boat being moored.

6. A boat mooring device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said extension member is an integral tubular construclion.

7. A boat mooring device as set forth inclaim 4, wherein said cantilever-arm tapers toward said outer end thereof.

8. A boat mooring deviceas set forth in claim 4, where- 'in said means releasably retaining said cantilever arm in said operative position comprise an upwardly opening cantilever arm receiving recess on said mounting member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 413,510 10/89 Heard et'al. 248-289 X 839,729 12/06 Chance 248-289 X 2,387,352 10/45 Radick 114-230 2,550,913 5/51 Coiling 114-230 3,120,831 2/64 Fulton 114-230 OTHER REFERENCES Yachting Magazine, March 1950, page 143, volume 87, issue 3.

Furiou s. MIDDLETON; im y Ex mi 

2. A BOAT MOORING DEVICE COMPRISING, A ONE-PIECE MOUNTING MEMBER HAVING A BASE ADAPTED FOR ATTACTMENT TO A DOCK AND A RESILIENTLY SOMEWHAT YIELDABLE POST EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, A NORMALLY GENERALLY UPRIGHT SOCKET MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID POST, THE UPPER END OF SAID POST EXTENDING ABOVE THE UPPER END OF SAID SOCKET MEMBER AND HAVING AN UPWARDLY OPENING RECESS THEREIN, AND AN EXTENSION MEMBER HAVING AN ARM SLIP-FITTED IN SAID SOCKET MEMBER AND A CANTILEVER ARM PROJECTING THEREFROM, SAID CANTILEVER ARM BEING RECEIVED IN SAID RECESS WHEN IN A PREDETERMINED OPERATIVE POSITION, AND BOAT SECURING 